Tim Benz Columns category, Page 23
Tim Benz: Debate over banning Eagles’ ‘Tush Push’ is stupid and needs to stop
Complaining about the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push” play is the most overwrought debate in sports and it needs to stop. That’s impossible now, though, because according to The Athletic, the Green Bay Packers have submitted a proposal to the league’s competition committee to ban the play. So, plenty more conversations...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ dud of a return from break is a (not so) sobering reality check for fans
The Pittsburgh Penguins returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off this weekend and lost two home games. They fell 8-3 to Washington on Saturday and 5-3 to the New York Rangers on Sunday. The Pens are in last place of the Metropolitan Division with 57 points. The Buffalo Sabres (51 points)...
Madden Monday: NHL already seeing residue of ‘Faustian bargain’ with international play
Hockey’s 4 Nations Face Off was a big success. Now, what can the NHL do for an encore? In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X says, so far, with its own product, things aren’t going great for the league. “Even the fast teams...
First Call: Plaxico Burress sells Super Bowl ring for big money; Penguins prospect loses fight badlyVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” a former Pittsburgh Steeler had to sell his Super Bowl ring, but the price may have been worth it. Alex Ovechkin bounced back after a quiet game against the Penguins. An ex-Steelers defensive back is hanging up his cleats. And a Penguins farmhand may want to...
For Team USA, let this one sink in before moving on to the Olympics
Every now and then, you can read a quote from an athlete, and it can be 100% true but still be wrong. After Team USA lost the 4 Nations Face-Off final to Canada, 3-2, in overtime Thursday, forward Dylan Larkin was asked about America’s chances to grab gold in 2026...
First Call: Steelers ‘very much interested’ in Nick Chubb; update on Justin Fields’ future; Super Bowl X Steeler dies
Friday’s “First Call” remembers a former Steeler from the 1970s. There’s some belief that the Steelers may want Nick Chubb. Speculation continues about Justin Fields’ status in Pittsburgh. Plus, we set the table for the upcoming weekend of action in college hockey and college basketball. Missing Mike A member of...
Tim Benz: Between ‘Arnold,’ ‘Loretta,’ ‘Sam’ and ‘Michael, Michael’ is what made Mike Lange a legend
Hockey on the radio can have a hypnotic effect. When there are extended stretches without goals, big hits, acrobatic saves or penalties, you can get lulled into a passive serenity by swooshing skates, clacking sticks and the low murmur of a crowd. That’s where Pittsburgh Penguins play-by-play voice Mike Lange...
U mad, bro?: Early Pirates injuries, constant Steelers QB confusion have Pittsburgh fans grumbling
Some quarterbacks just aren’t going to come to Pittsburgh. Other quarterbacks may never leave. And certain Pirates may take a little longer to put on the uniform than we all hoped. All these topics have our readers simmering in this week’s “U mad, bro?” Someone calling themselves “Pirate Crusher” (so...
Pitt’s late push to stack wins can’t be derailed against struggling Syracuse
When ESPN Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi posted his latest round of NCAA Tournament projections Monday afternoon, Pitt wasn’t among the last group of teams in the dance. They weren’t in the group of the “first four” teams out of it. They weren’t in the next group of four out, either....
Tim Benz: If Steelers keep Russell Wilson, here’s how they will optimistically spin it
Whether it’s been through columns I’ve posted at “Breakfast With Benz,” our podcasts or when I’ve been on the radio in recent months, you’ve heard me mention the “Snow Globe Theory” regarding the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers. The theory is that if I shook up the season’s 18 results and just...
First Call: Trevor Lawrence would’ve been against a trade to Pittsburgh; Tee Higgins contract updateVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has Trevor Lawrence’s reaction to the trade rumors about the Pittsburgh Steelers checking in on his status in Jacksonville. We also have an update on the contract situation of a Steelers AFC North rival. Plus, Sidney Crosby leads a list of current and former Penguins who played...
Madden Monday: Fights to start Team USA-Canada game ‘devalued’ the momentVideo
A lot of people went crazy about the Team USA hockey win over Canada on Saturday, in large part because of the three fights in 9 seconds to open the game. USA vs. Canada started off in MADNESS ????????: ABC/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/BrWlXzMb7J— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2025 For his part, though,...
Tim Benz: A lesson to be learned by the Steelers from all the ‘SNL 50’ hoopla
Amid all of the hoopla for this weekend’s 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live,” I watched the four-part docuseries on Peacock called “SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night.” I really enjoyed it. I thought it was better than any individual SNL episode I’ve seen in recent years. All four parts were...
After last month’s blowout loss to Dayton, Duquesne is taking rematch ‘personally’
Duquesne’s last game against Dayton knocked the Dukes men’s basketball team off track. The Dukes (10-14, 5-6 Atlantic 10) see Saturday’s rematch as an opportunity to finally stay on track. “They beat us so bad at home the last time, I am taking that personally,” forward Jakub Necas said Thursday...
First Call: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields favored to get Jets’ QB job; Jake Guentzel shines for Team USA
Friday’s “First Call” has the same potential destination for both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. An ex-Steelers assistant coach is part of the shuffling deck in Detroit. A trio of former Penguins registered points in the Team USA win over Finland in the American opener of the 4 Nations Face-Off....
Tim Benz: Everyone refutes that the Steelers called about Trevor Lawrence. OK, but is it a bad idea?
Trevor Lawrence probably isn’t coming to Pittsburgh. Quite frankly, no one Thursday said anything to the contrary. You wouldn’t know that, though, based on the spitfire and gnashing of teeth that accompanied pushback to a report that said the Steelers inquired about his availability from the Jacksonville Jaguars. To immediately...
Tim Benz: After finishing a game with no healthy goalies and an empty net, RMU hockey finds an EBUG
A week after the Robert Morris men’s hockey team had to finish a game without a goalie, the Colonials are preparing for this weekend’s games with the NCAA version of an EBUG: Emergency Backup Goaltender. The Colonials entered last weekend’s series against Bentley with one of their goalies, Croix Kochendorfer,...
First Call: Duck Hodges and Lainey Wilson get engaged; Mario Lemieux feels the love in Montreal
Thursday’s “First Call” has wedding plans for a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. Sidney Crosby stood out in Canada’s first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Mario Lemieux was a star of the pregame ceremony as well. Plus, a Cincinnati Bengal has requested a trade, and Pitt’s women’s basketball team plays...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans angry after Day 1 of Pirates spring training, annoyed with Kenny Pickett’s Super Bowl ring
Kenny Pickett winning a Super Bowl has certainly touched a nerve within Steeler Nation. So has the state of Pittsburgh’s current quarterback situation. It took one whole day for some bad news to come out of spring training for the Pirates. And some people didn’t appreciate my gambling advice. That...
If the Steelers are following the Eagles’ model, are they capable of putting it together?
It’s been three days since the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl, and I keep hearing that’s good news because it means the Pittsburgh Steelers are “on the right track” toward building a team in their image. Since, you know, the Eagles are all about defense and running the football....
First Call: Jets tried to ban Aaron Rodgers from Pat McAfee’s show; Steelers DB lashes out at idea of Rodgers in Pittsburgh
“First Call” for Wednesday has some interesting news about Aaron Rodgers’ demise in New York. We also tell you which Steeler is aggressively opposed to the notion of Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh. It might not take very much for the Steelers to pry Deebo Samuel loose from San Francisco. Also,...
Tim Benz: Hey, new Pirates, it’s not your fault
I feel like I’m channeling Robin Williams from “Good Will Hunting” on this one. But with Pittsburgh Pirates players reporting to spring training this week, I think it needs to be said. Hey, Adam Frazier. It’s not your fault. There are going to be times this year when you think...
Tim Benz: Super Bowl commercial puts a new spin on Eagles comps for ‘Fast & Furious’ Steelers
I hadn’t really been thinking about the Pittsburgh Steelers all that much during Sunday’s Super Bowl until I saw a Häagen-Dazs ice cream commercial in the second half. It featured Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Ludacris from the “Fast & Furious” movies. That reminded me of the Steelers because, much...
First Call: Bill Cowher expects Steelers to have ‘dialogue’ about Aaron Rodgers; reasons behind big Super Bowl TV ratings
Comments from former Steelers coach Bill Cowher are likely to keep the Aaron Rodgers speculation going in Pittsburgh. An ex-Steeler is on his way out of New England. Television ratings for the Super Bowl were good — and for some very specific reasons. We have an idea of how Sidney...
Deebo Samuel’s agent will reportedly contact Steelers, AFC North foes may also be in the mix
According to a report from SI.com, Deebo Samuel’s agent will reach out to the Pittsburgh Steelers to discuss a trade. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has received permission to seek a trade with another team. Via Noah Strackbein of S.I., one of those clubs he intends to talk to...
